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This year we had the pleasure to have with us at World Dance Movement – The International Festival in Italy, a group of students from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Kari Williams, the Director of Dance at SHU, spent two weeks in Puglia with her students. She shared her thoughts about the program with us. Hear what she has to say and please feel free to share it with all your dance friends, parents and teachers. 🙂

WDM: This was your first year at World Dance Movement Italy. How was your experience overall?

KARI: The opportunities presented to my students to grow in their artistry and be inspired and educated by international greatness were unparalleled.

WDM: What type of opportunities did your students receive at the event?

KARI: Lauren Celentano was not only chosen by the casting director of Amici, to receive a private audition and a callback but she also took 1st place in the senior solo open category division last night in the WDM international competition and was awarded literally thousands of dollars in scholarships to various dance training programs across the US.!

We had 3 opportunities to perform in the beautiful outdoor Piazza at Castellana Grotte with hundreds in attendance – they danced choreography created by world renowned artists under the stars!

Students took weekly classes in Ballet, Active Isolated Flexibility, Contemporary dance and Street Jazz with the best dance educators in the world

On the last day our dancers participated in an open Audition for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines where they had the opportunity to earn contracts for cruise ship dance work – Our dancers that made the 1st cut & went on to round 2 were Lauren C. Elizabeth Venezia & Sarah Possenti! Lauren C. received a call back

Other SHU dance program members earning scholarships and international recognition include: Stephanie Pic: One Free Audition Technique Seminar at Stage Door Connections in NYC, Malaysia Johnson: One Week of Unlimited Dance Classes at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, Sarah Possenti: One Scholarship for classes at Steps on Broadway & One scholarship for 20 Free Classes at EDGE Performing Arts Center

WDM: How did you enjoy the extracurricular activities offered by the event?

KARI: On our free time we traveled to Monopoli Beach (2x), Polignano a Mare, the Caves at Castellana Grotte, Alberobello, Trulli, rounding out the cultural enrichment portion of our learning agenda

WDM: What makes World Dance Movement different from US dance conventions?

KARI: US Conventions are great however nothing compares to sharing ONE dance floor with dancers from literally dozens of countries at once. The inspiration from this alone – knowing that your craft is universal and that it matters on a global scale – makes WDM a stand out over any US convention that one could attend.

WDM: Would you recommend World Dance Movement to other college students and their professors? Why?

KARI: It is such a unique opportunity for students to develop technical, artistic, cultural and humanistic perspective all at once. This development in turn helps elevate not only the student to a more self-actualized person and dancer but also the entire dance program wherein they live and train.

Information about Sacred Heart University Dance Programs

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY DANCE COMPANY AT A GLANCE

· SHU DANCE COMPANY students are able to enjoy the benefits of a conservatory style higher education dance program in conjunction with earning their degree of choice.

· SHU DANCE COMPANY students are given numerous performance opportunities both on and off campus, starting as early as their Freshman year!

· SHU DANCE COMPANY students are proud members of the American College Dance Association which helps support and affirm dance in higher education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals.

· SHU DANCE COMPANY students may earn up to 1 credit per semester for participation in the program, making this a wonderful option for those pursuing a Dance Minor

· Many SHU DANCE COMPANY students are eligible to receive performing arts dance grants and scholarship money for active participation in the program!

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Next year is going to be our 10th Anniversary and we are planning to make it extra special!!!